transillumination

English edit

Etymology edit

trans- +‎ illumination

Noun edit

transillumination (countable and uncountable, plural transilluminations)

  1. A shining through.
  2. (medicine) The examination of a body part, or a tissue sample, by shining light through it.
    • 2013, Carole Hollins, Questions and Answers for Dental Nurses, page 44:
      Transillumination of anterior teeth, using the composite curing light placed labially to shine through the tooth and be viewed using the mouth mirror, shows up any cavities as dark interproximal shadows.